Everton rejects 20 million pound bid for Rooney

Everton have rejected a 20 million pound ($36.3 million) bid from Newcastle United for England striker Wayne Rooney, the Premier League club said on Monday.

The future of Rooney, 18, has been the subject of intense media speculation since he scored four goals for England during Euro 2004.

"I can confirm that we have received a £20 million pound offer for Wayne Rooney from Newcastle United. This bid has been turned down," Everton spokesman Ian Ross was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

The Liverpool club are reportedly 30 million pounds in debt but have been desperate to keep Rooney, offering him a lucrative five-year

deal.

Russian tycoon Anton Zingarevich has reportedly offered to plough 20

million pounds into the club but his firm on Monday denied a deal was taking place.

Rooney is back in training after being sidelined for two months, having broken a bone in his foot during England's quarter-final loss to Portugal at Euro 2004.

He

has previously been linked with Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid.Newcastle has cash to spend after selling England defender Jonathan Woodgate to Real Madrid last week for a reported fee of 20 million euros ($24.64 million).